ROBERTSDALE, Alabama --- George Powell, a graduating senior at Robertsdale High, doesn't know which field of medicine appeals to him the most. Will it be sports medicine or becoming an emergency room physician?

"I just know I want to be a doctor one day," he said. "It's a field that I have dreamed of entering for as long as I can remember."

Powell said he planned to enter the nursing program at Faulkner State Community College, where he could earn his Registered Nurse certification.

"After Faulkner I plan on taking the NCLEX exam, which is the state licensing exam, that would allow me to work in a hospital if I chose to," he said. "Once I have the associate's degree in hand I'll try to move on up the educational ladder to a bachelor of science in nursing degree."

From there Powell can apply to medical school at either the University of Alabama in Birmingham, or the University of South Alabama, and still be licensed to work in a hospital while pursuing his medical studies.

"A couple of other options are to remain a BSN, work in an emergency room or intensive care unit for at least a year, and then go to nurse anesthetist school," he said. "Still another is to consider a career in sports medicine, and maybe become an orthopedic surgeon."

Powell said his main problem with settling on a career field at this time is due to all his various interests.

"I love history as well as French," he said. "Black history is a field that is relatively new in terms of being written about, taught and studied. I enjoy French because it was spoken by my grandparents who were Cajun and lived in the southern part Louisiana."

Still, Powell feels good about his future, despite the fact that he wonders sometimes about the direction he should take in regards to his career path.

"The main thing I've heard is to do something you show an aptitude for," he said. "That way, when you wake up in the morning you won't dread going to work, as work will become fun, as well as something to look forward to."

Powell is the son of Trina Perine-Coleman and the late Donnie Powell Sr. of Loxley.

"During third block I attend a nursing class at the South Baldwin Center for Technology. Mrs. Carol Smith, who is a great instructor, is both our teacher and sponsor for the Health Occupations Students of America," he said.

After school Powell works two jobs on various days.

"I work at both Nautica and Ralph Lauren at the Tanger Center in Foley," he said. "I'm trying to save money for my college education. I would like to get a scholarship of some sort. Right now I'm getting my FAFSA information together, as well as beginning the process of applying for various funds that are available to people entering the medical field."

Whereas Powell's mom is a nurse, his other set of grandparents all graduated from Tuskegee either in education or chemistry.

"My great-uncle graduated from TU in engineering," Powell said. "He might be pushing 70 years of age, but he's still designing and engineering ships for Ingalls's Shipyard over in Biloxi, Mississippi."

Hand Powell a rod and reel, or just an old cane pole and a can of worms, and he's in Heaven.

"I really do love to fish," he said. "It's only relaxing, but it gives me a chance to think while I'm still able to do something constructive."

At the South Baldwin Center for Technology, Powell said he was active in the Health Occupation Students of America as well as the National Technical Honor Society.

"At RHS I'm a member of the band," he said. "I can play the baritone horn, tuba and trombone. I go pretty much where Mrs. Isherwood needs me."

Outside of school, Powell serves as a deacon at Lily Baptist, and is active in the youth group.

"Should I go the physician route with my education I know I'll have a number of years of training I have to go through," he said. "Still, if I can make a difference with just one life I believe it'll be worth it."